Carburetion Systems Small Engines

Carburetion Functions of the carburetion system are: To mix the fuel with the proper proportion of air. To vaporize the fuel To deliver the correct amount of the air-fuel mixture to the cylinder. A carburetor may be defined as: A device for automatically mixing fuel in the proper proportion with air to produce a combustible gas mixture.

Carburetion Additional engine parts closely related to the carburetor include: The fuel tank, fuel lines, air cleaner, choke, and speed control devices (governors).

Venturi and Air Flow A venturi in the the carburetor increases the velocity of the incoming air. When the air is forced through a restricted area, it must accelerate in order to maintain the volume of flow. This is a lot like a narrow space in between to buildings.

Venturi and Air Flow A venturi is defined as: An area in an air flow tube of a carburetor that restricts the flow of air through the tube resulting in a high velocity and low pressure at the restricted area. Venturies may differ in their general configuration from one carburetor to another.

Venturi and Air Flow Air flow through the venturi area of the carburetor is due to the movement of the piston. The pressure in the intake passage is decreased. Thus creating a low pressure condition in the carburetor venturi area.

Throttle To regulate engine operating speed a throttle valve is employed to restrict air flow. This is mounted just beyond or above the venturi. When the throttle valve is fully opened the air flow is affected very little. When as the throttle is closed the flow of air is restricted to the intake passage.

Throttle This decreases the speed and power of the engine. At the same time it allows the pressure in the venturi area to increase. The difference between the air pressure in the fuel chamber and the venturi is decreased. Therefore the movement of fuel through the nozzle is reduced.

Carburetor Types All carburetors used on small engines are basically the same. Carburetors can be classified into three kinds: Float Feed Suction Feed Diaphram The difference between these is the way the fuel is supplied to the fuel chamber.

Carburetor Types Float Feed carburetors locate their fuel tanks some distance from the carburetor. The fuel flows either be gravity, or due to the force of a fuel pump, through fuel lines to the lower part of the carburetor. The position of the float controls the fuel level in the bowl.

Carburetor Types Suction Feed Carburetor is very similar to the float type. The one exception is there is no float to meter and control the level of fuel in the fuel chamber. The difference in pressure between the tank and the carburetor throat lifts the fuel up the fuel pipe past the main needle valve and through the discharge holes.

Carburetor Types The diaphram carburetor has a rubber diaphram exposed to the cylinder intake stroke vacuum on one side and to atmospheric pressure on the other. The diaphram moves against the inlet needle allowing it to move from its seat. A spring returns the needle to its seat when the vacuum stops.

Carburetor Adjustments Carburetors need adjustment to meet climatic conditions of both sea level and temperature variations. Carburetors should be adjusted so it will not exhaust an unnecessary amount of unburned hydrocarbons or it should not be so lean that it will give unsatisfactory power performance.

Idle and Main Needle Valve Adjustments The main needle valve adjustment is has many different names. Power load adjustment, high speed adjustment screw, main jet, etc… The valve is usually turned by hand or by a screwdriver. The turning moves the needle’s tapered point in and out of a seat in the lower part of the nozzle, thus varying the amount of fuel that can be metered.

Idle and Main Needle Valve Adjustments Adjustments of the main needle valve should be done before adjusting the idle valve. Turn the main needle until the engine starts to flood. Then quickly turn the valve in the opposite direction until until the engine starts to miss from the lack of fuel.

Idle and Main Needle Valve Adjustments Somewhere between these points will be the correct main needle valve setting. The idle valve should be adjusted next.

Chokes Starting an engine when it is cold requires a richer air-fuel mixture than when it is warm. The choke regulates the pressure in the venturi, thereby increasing the flow of fuel from the discharge nozzles.

Governors The function of the governor on an engine is to maintain a desired speed regardless of load. It is a fixed throttle position, the engine will speed up or slow down depending on the load applied.

Governors The two most common governor systems are the air vane type and the mechanical type. The air vane governor is operated by the force of air currents away from the flywheel fins. This force and movement of the air on the air vane opens and closes the throttle valve.

Governors Mechanical governors work in a manner similar to the air vane type except centrifugal weights oppose the governor spring rather than an air vane.

Air Cleaners It is important to prevent dirt and dust from being cared into the engine through the carburetor. If the air cleaner is operating improperly dirt will enter the combustion chamber, causing excessive wear of the rings, cylinder walls and other moving parts.

Air Cleaners There are several different types of air cleaners used. The oil bath type is the oldest type. All air passes through the oil and oil soaked mesh before entering the carburetor. Dust and dirt are removed from the air and accumulates as sediment in the bottom of the oil cup.

Air Cleaners Oil saturated type of air cleaner, contains foam or fine wire mesh which is saturated in oil. A third type of air cleaner is the dry element type. Commonly found on larger engines.